Independent reports ignored as Martin Place towers given the green light

The Berejiklian government rejected the advice of two independent reports in approving the planning proposal for two Macquarie Group towers at Martin Place.

An artist's impression of Macquarie's proposed northern tower at Martin Place.Credit:Macquarie Group

The reports – one by the Independent Planning Commission, another commissioned by the Department of Planning and Environment – argued a proposed Macquarie Group tower on the south of Martin Place be set further back from the public square.

But the Department of Planning last week approved the planning proposals, after receiving advice from the Government Architect, Peter Poulet, in favour of allowing the towers closer to Martin Place.

This approval drew the ire of City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, who said the decision overturned a quarter-century policy of requiring new towers to sit at least 25 metres from Martin Place.

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“This approach has prevented overcrowding by new towers and allowed Martin Place to evolve as a pedestrian-focused public space with better access to sunlight, daylight, views and controlled wind conditions,” Cr Moore said.

The planning decision last week represents one of a series of stages required to approve the developments at Martin Place. The investment bank submitted an unsolicited proposal in 2017 to build a new metro rail station at Martin Place, as part of a new line through the city, in return for development rights above the station.

The decision last week involved a change to the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan, which determines the allowable scale of buildings in the area. The proposed developments are yet to undergo a design review process.

The Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, requested advice from the Independent Planning Commission late last year about “building envelopes” proposed at the site.

The Department of Planning had recommended an eight-metre setback, while Macquarie Group argued against any setbacks.

The investment bank said enforcing the existing 25-metre setback controls would “limit opportunities for architectural expression,” and “could have negative implications for the commercial viability of the development”.

But the Commission’s panel agreed with the City of Sydney that the 25-metre setbacks be adhered to.

These controls, the Commission panel of Annabelle Pegrum, Lynelle Briggs and Helen Lochhead, said, were an “established, identifiable characteristic of the locality that supports public amenity and aligns with the heritage fabric of the area”.

Martin Place should be a pedestrian-focused public space, according to City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.Credit:Fairfax Media

The Department of Planning and the Environment also commissioned consultant AECOM to look at the issue. AECOM’s report said under an eight-metre setback “the sense of the openness of the Martin Place corridor would be reduced.”.

The consultancy’s advice was that 12 metres would “provide the most acceptable tower setback building, but an eight metre setback had “the potential to provide an acceptable outcome”.

However the government architect, Mr Poulet, said he was “not convinced a rigorous application” of setbacks would provide the best outcome. He said eight metres "will be appropriate".

And in its assessment, the Department of Planning said that a 25-metre setback would result in a tower with a “very slim” depth.

This would not provide enough floor space to accommodate commercial development in the heart of the city. As well, some of the issues with the eight-metre setback could be dealt with through an architectural design excellence process.

A spokesman for Macquarie said the proposal remained subject to approval by the NSW Government under its Unsolicited Proposal assessment process.

“Macquarie has sought the relevant planning permissions in parallel with the Unsolicited Proposal application so that, should the NSW Government approve the proposal, Macquarie can commence works promptly to support delivery of the Metro Martin Place station by 2024,” the spokesman said.

A spokesman for the Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, said detailed design of the building facade would also ensure the development is consistent with historic buildings in the Martin Place precinct.

“The proposal for amendments to Sydney LEP for Martin Place was considered on its individual merits, having regard to all relevant planning matters,” the spokesman said.

Cr Moore said: “This rubber-stamped proposal threatens the significant heritage values of Martin Place, where some of our most important events and rituals are held, including ceremonies at the Cenotaph to honour those that fought and died in war.”